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China
Country Vitals
| Formal
Country Name: |
People's
Republic of China |
| Head of
Government: |
President
Xia Hong |
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Party/Affiliation: |
Chinese
Communist Party (CCP) |
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Last/Current Player: |
Chris |
| Current
Player's Email: |
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| Instant
Messenger Name (AIM): |
Chazenesq2b |
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Approximate Last Week Playing: |
Current
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Recent History
Political Situation
When Beijing had hosted the 2008 summer Olympics, the
shining, sparkling jewel of Asia was seen as a
metaphoric expression of the rise of China. Even the
United States could no longer claim, in the eyes of a
few anti-American leaning journalists, to be the world's
sole super power. China had arrived. |
And seemingly just as quickly, the brightest flame was
nearly snuffed out.
With the price of oil and some raw materials reaching a
low-point in 2008, a great deal of investment was made
to procure vast quantity of stocks of strategic
resources. Massive expansion was foreseen to keep up
with China's continued economic growth, and private
firms, particularly in the areas of construction and
technology, were seeking to cash in on this promise. The
promise however, ended up being much more shallow than
expected.
In 2010 the United States and the nations of the west
entered a recession, foreseen as inevitable. China,
which had been largely blinded by idealistic zeal and
over-confidence, hadn't been prepared for it's most
important trading partners to reduce their need of
manufactured or industrial goods as much as they had. As
a result, billions were lost in speculation, and the
Chinese people soon found themselves with a unique
understanding of the cliché "When the United States
sneezes, the rest of the world gets a cold."
Over-extended, many businesses went under, the
unemployment rate went up, and for China a recession
became two-years of near-depression. Coupled with the
need to counter emerging health threats to it's
population, and the police actions required to keep the
population in check from the shock and desperation
insuring to 2011, the Communist Party was reeling. In
Tibet, separatists demanded sovereignty, and Taiwan
seemed closer to declaring independence than ever. The
party needed new leadership, desperately... someone who
could change the collision course the nation seemed to
be on with misery.
After President Jintao was forced out, the charismatic
and idealist daughter of a senior Chinese military
general and an American businesswoman found an
opportunity to seize power, using her father's
connections and her own credentials. Xia Hong won
election in the CCP late in 2012. She got to work
quickly, forcing through drastic changes to the Chinese
government and policies in hopes of dealing with the
simultaneous storm of events. The Chinese Communist
Party retains control of the nation at this time, but
opposition has never been stronger, more vocal, or more
popular. There is talk about a potential revolution
among some circles.
Economic Situation
Many of the recently passed emergency measures concerned
solving China's economic woes. A massive anti-corruption
legislation bill stamped out wasteful spending and
officials in a nation where bribery had long been an
accepted practice. A 'Green' infrastructure program was
initiated, necessitating the rebuilding of roads, power
networks, water purification projects, and many
factories to accommodate the new legislation, jump
starting the heavy industries that had been hit
particularly hard by economic decline. Safety standards
had been imposed, and a national healthcare network
established. New banking and financial services
legislation was passed to provide a shield against such
violent economic growth, and combined with even more
reduced prices thanks to the accumulated resources, a
foreign direct investment campaign was begun in force to
expand the economy and cut back on excess capacity.
Similarly, China's policies have been shaped to help
induce the high-tech sector to stimulus as much as the
manufacturing and production facilities. Newer schools
have been constructed, standards of excellence set, and
tax incentives as well as government grants offered to
attract research and development facilities in a myriad
of fields. Many observers have commented about the new
standards closing most real gaps between Western and
Eastern educational quality, and the diversification is
hoped to provide an added buffer against any further
economic declines.
Internal Affairs
The government was also 'shaken' badly, the need for
money to fund expansive programs requiring drastic
reorganization for the sake of efficiency. Minimum
qualification standards had been set or increased, the
old system of patronage largely brought to heel. The
State Council had been broken into ministries, appointed
by the National People's Congress (NPC) and headed by
the President, under which all government programs and
agencies were placed. The Ministries include the
Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of State, The Ministry
of the Interior, The Ministry of Commerce, The Ministry
of Justice, the Ministry of Security and Intelligence,
Ministry of Government Affairs, Ministry of Health,
Ministry of Transportation, and Ministry of Education.
Initially there were a great deal of problems over turf
battles, reorganizing the work force and expert
positions, and assigning tasks and authority via
legislation. However these issues are being addressed by
appointed policy makers, and slowly the effects of the
shake up are dissipating.
In addition, the subsequent construction of newer,
high-tech transportation hubs, power-grids, and
infrastructure facilities combined with increased
health-care and educational capacity has resulted in a
greater ability to meet the demands of all of China's
people, the proverbial haves and have-nots alike. As a
result the main crux of civil unrest has been severely
hampered, and the new found unity of purpose and
cooperative efforts of security forces have resulted in
the more militant of detractors being largely arrested
and controlled. Subsequently, a broader policy of
gradual 'Sino-democratization' has been
institutionalized. Although most NPC seats remain
appointed positions and under Communist control, a vast
number are now 'open' seats for election, and minority
parties have made steady gains given the recent weakness
of the CCP. This has earned Xia a few critics among her
own party, however the decision was based in strategy...
taking the hits for the party now to preserve the nation
it represents in the long run.
Environmental issues have been placed on a forefront,
not only because of the organization and rising
influence of the Chinese Environmental Party (CEP or
known as the 'Greens'), but because of the need to
rebuild and cut back on Chinese vulnerability to the
markets of natural resources and simple popular demand.
A Parks Bureau and Land Use Bureau under the auspices of
the Ministry of the Interior have been formed to insure
the safe and productive use of resources.
Military Situation
The Military of China had continued it's reforms almost
unabated, but was kicked into overdrive under the
plethora of reforms instituted since 2012. China now has
separate Naval, Army, Air Force, and Strategic Force
services, although in honor of the unified PLA days the
basic trainings are almost exactly the same for all
services. The major differences lay in advanced
trainings, and even then joint service operations are in
the new mindset emphasized over the former independent
operations. Ranks remain the same, although the services
are recognized as separate.
Foreign Affairs
China remains an important member of the international
community, even despite it's recent stumbles.
Economically and militarily powerful, and having a great
deal of influence abroad, China often plays power-broker
in Asian affairs, and has stated it's interests in
flexing it's muscles elsewhere. Russia, the United
States, and the European Union remain China's greatest
trading partners, and improving relations has been given
a high-priority by the Ministry of State. Other
important partners include Iran, Japan, Venezuela, and
the nations of Indochina.
Other Social Issues
Religious freedom is one of the newly acquired rights
Chinese citizens are learning to explore. Traditional
Eastern religions retain their place of prominence, but
it's widely reported that various Christian churches,
including the Catholic Church itself, as well as Islam
are making some headway on the prophesy of Chinese
territories, where influences of both are still tangible
following the days of colonization and the proximity of
Islamic nations. These new discoveries are still
ongoing, and as of yet unrest against the government has
pre-empted religious disagreement, but the situation is
still being monitored by the Ministry of Security and
Intelligence and the Ministry of Law in fear that things
may become volatile.
Tensions in Tibet have eased extensively. While still
sovereign Chinese territory, a greater tolerance for
religious freedom have allowed some to return to the
popularized traditional Tibetan 'Monk' lifestyle.
Although freedom has been expanded, for many it isn't
moving quickly enough. A number of groups continue to
push for 'democracy now', and although controlled for
now, many of the hardliners retain a great deal of fear
and suspicion of these groups. Several popularly
reported events world wide have demonstrated reactions
that have tarnished the slowly liberalizing image of
China somewhat, and this remains an obstacle to greater
global integration and prosperity.
Trafficking of prisoners and illegal substances remains
a problem that must be addressed, but understandably the
resources of the Chinese government have been focused
elsewhere. In addition terrorism, or rather the prospect
of it, remains a frightening reality.
The Taiwan Issue
China still maintains Taiwan is a province of Mainland
China, and an uneasy tolerance for each other's ways is
maintained. |
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